Italy U21 vs. Spain U21 Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds
The second game of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will be played between hosts Italy and slight favourites Spain.
Italy U21 vs. Spain U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship
- Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
- Sunday 16 June
- 20:00 UK Time
Italy U21 vs. Spain U21 Game Preview
Alongside the clash between England and France, this tilt between Italy and Spain is surely a derby of Round 1 and it could easily turn out that a winner of this game ends up at the top of Group A. These are the two most successful nations in the history of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and we can expect a good game.
Italy U21 Team News
Italy are the most decorated nation at the UEFA European Under-21 Championships and the last medal they won was the silver medal at U21 Euro in 2013 when they lost to their next rivals Spain. The Italians are hoping to return to the summit of the world football and are putting their faith in youth system to get them there.
This is a vital clash to open the group with. Italy have won this tournament on five occasions and just two years ago, both Italy and Spain topped their respective groups. Italy then suffered a loss to Spain in the semi-finals.
Head coach Luigi Di Biagio has some big talents in his team who are already established first-team players in their respective clubs. Moise Kean, Federico Chiesa, Patrick Cutrone, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Rolando Mandragora, and are the ones who should carry the team forward at this tournament.
Italy U21 Latest Form
Italy warmed up for the championship with a 2-2 draw against Croatia in the latest friendly tilt. They took a two-goal lead in the opening 45 minutes through Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Locatelli but the Croatians answered with a couple of goals in the second half.
It was the second consecutive draw for Di Biagio’s side but despite allowing in three of their previous four games, Italy usually responds on the other end thanks to prolific forwards. Italy have played a total of 17 friendly games since the end of the last Euro and they have the record of W7 D4 L6, which is far from being impressive. Their last victory was back in October 2018 and they are without a win in the previous four matches.
Juventus wonderkidMoise Kean is Di Biagio’s big hope up front after coming off a breakout season with the Old Lady and is expected to lead the attack on Sunday. The teenager already scored for the senior team and should form an excellent partnership with Patrick Cutrone and Roberto Orsolini.
Spain U21 Team News
Spain are hoping to get their fifth title at the European Under-21 Championship and even though they couldn’t lift the trophy two years ago, they already have three in this decade and are always one of the favourites. Luis de la Fuente has a strong team with creative midfield consisted of such players as Pablo Fornals, Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Ceballos, and Carlos Soler. Borja Mayoral is the most prolific scorer in the squad and will be looking to match Gerard Deloufeu’s record of 17 goals for the U21 National Team. He needs three more goals to do it.
Spain won two of their previous three appearances at the final tournament but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Germany in 2017 even though they were favourites to get another title. La Furia Roja have advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament in five of their previous six appearances.
Spain U21 Latest Form
In the qualification phase, Spain won all but one of their ten matches and it was an unexpected home defeat to the Northern Ireland back in September 2018. Their loss to Germany in the 2017 Final ended a ten-game unbeaten run in competitive duels (W7 D3). Spain are on an eight-match winning streak in group stage games at the Euros.
Since that loss to the Northern Ireland, Spain played six matches and won five of them and are on a two-game winning streak. They scored even 17 goals in the process and conceded just four in return while they kept their net intact in the last two.
Italy U21 vs. Spain U21 Head to Head
These rivals have met eight times thus far and Spain have been dominant with six victories and only one defeat. They won the last five games against Italy and scored at least three goals in four of them. It is clear that the Italians don’t like to play against La Furia Roja and this will be the biggest test for the hosts at this tournament.
Italy U21 vs. Spain U21 Betting Tip
It seems that the Spaniards have a stronger squad and are closer to get a victory here but the Italians will do anything to avoid a loss in the opener in front of their own fans. That’s why I am going with a draw here at 21/10 with 22Bet. Italy managed to keep the clean sheet in just two of their last ten matches but they didn’t score only once in the previous two years, which is an important fact if you prefer playing BTTS. We recommend you to go for it at 17/20 with William Hill.
